Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Pitchers Julio Urias, Chris Anderson, Ryan Buchter and Josh Ravin — all non-roster invitees to Spring Training — today became the first four sent from Major League camp to the minor-league side this year.

Urias (18) and Anderson (22) are top starting pitching prospects, while Buchter (28) and Ravin (27) provide relief depth. The quartet had combined to allow four runs in 10 2/3 innings.

The Dodgers still have six non-roster relievers in camp, to go with 11 on the active roster, not to mention a few swingmen. Here’s the breakdown:

  • Righty relievers, no options: Chris Hatcher, Brandon League, Dustin McGowan, Juan Nicasio, Joel Peralta
  • Lefty relievers, no options: J.P. Howell
  • Righty relievers, can go to minors: Pedro Baez, Yimi Garcia, David Aardsma, Mike Adams*, Chad Gaudin, Ben Rowen, Sergio Santos
  • Lefty relievers, can go to minors: Daniel Coulombe, Adam Liberatore, Paco Rodriguez, David Huff
  • Righty relievers on disabled list: Kenley Jansen, Chris Withrow

*Adams requires retention bonus if not added to Major League roster five days before Opening Day.

Most logically, the Dodgers would start the season with the six no-option relievers and one of the four remaining lefty relievers (with such other lefties as Erik Bedard and Joe Wieland working starter innings in the minors). But with three weeks and change remaining until the season opener, there’s still time for that logic to change.